Bakery helper mistakenly seized by kidnappers

AGOO, La Union — A female bakery helper was turned over to this town’s mayor last Tuesday, four days after she, police believe, was mistakenly kidnapped by armed men who were after her employer.

Mayor Eufranio Eriguel told The STAR that 19-year-old Nancy Ofiana was personally brought to his office by Inspector Anita Sandoval and SPO4 Corazon Sandoval, both of the women’s desk of the Central Police District’s station in Kamuning, Quezon City.

Eriguel said Ofiana was seized by two ski mask-wearing men aboard a vehicle while she was walking along the national highway here last Friday morning.

Sources said the kidnappers could have mistaken her as the bakery owner and dumped her after they realized this.

Ofiana, according to Eriguel, was dumped by her abductors at the Kamuning police station so she could seek assistance in returning home.

Police suspect that she was forced to take a sleeping pill while she was being brought to Metro Manila. They said she appeared weak and listless when she was abandoned at the CPD station.